Pursuant to Federal Aviation Administration policy announced in the Acquisition Management System, originally issued on April 1, 1996, this agency is committed to the early and expeditious resolution of controversy.  The effectiveness of mediation, fact-finding and other techniques collectively known as "alternative dispute resolution" (ADR) in contributing to early and effective resolution of contract related disputes and issues in controversy in appropriate cases is widely recognized in government, business and legal communities.  To further the use of ADR in our agency, the Federal Aviation Administration pledges to:

 

1.     Examine agency contracting practices, methods and documents to determine where alternative dispute resolution methods may be used and to determine the best methods and practices to employ.

 

2.     Consider each dispute and each issue in controversy that arises for the appropriate application of consensual methods of dispute resolution to all or part of the matters of disagreement.

 

3.     Assure that integrated product teams and management teams receive training on the use of appropriate means of dispute resolution consistent with agency policy and governing statutes and regulations.

 

4.     Participate with other government agencies and interested parties in the development and sharing of information concerning the best policies and practice to use in the employment of alternative dispute resolution techniques.

 

5.        Discourage the use of more formal and more adversarial dispute resolution processes when less formal and consensual methods will produce a fair disposition of a controversy.

 

 

                                    Dated this      17   day of  ____June   1999 

 

 

(original signed by) ____________________________________________

                                    Steven Zaidman

                                    Acquisition Executive

                                    Federal Aviation Administration